SchoolScoresVenerable Bede CofE Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of NORTHERN LIGHTS LEARNING TRUST
Tunstall Bank, Sunderland, SR2 0SX
0191 523 9745 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
108 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Sunderland comparisons use the 3 of its 13 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 6% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 74% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 9% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 80% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 3% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 28% | 59% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 44 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 3% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 18% | 33% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 100 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 4% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 62% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 32 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 3% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 19% | 44% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sunderland. Higher than 2% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 30%said yes | 73% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 13%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Sunderland figures pool parents at the Sunderland schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
178 pupils in this year group.
39% — 3 points below the Sunderland average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 39% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 44.1 | 43.3 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
175 pupils in this year group.
91% — 5 points above the Sunderland average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 86% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 13% | 21% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 64% | 53% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 14% | 7% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Sunderland. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 64 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 57 |
| Of those, offered a place | 57 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 140 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Sunderland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.3% | 36.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5% | 16.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 10th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 7.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.9% | 27.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 85.6 | 45.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Lower than 12% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 11.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.95% | 0.68% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 13 state secondary schools in Sunderland. Higher than 72% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Hopespring Sunderland 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Southmoor Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Aidan's Catholic Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
- Farringdon Community Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Thornhill Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Argyle House School 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sandhill View Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 2 strong, 3 expected, 1 needs attention · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Christ's College 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Seaham High School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Venerable Bede CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Venerable Bede CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Venerable Bede CofE Academy?
30% of the 108 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Venerable Bede CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Venerable Bede CofE Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 57 families put Venerable Bede CofE Academy as their first choice for 64 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 57 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139184.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.